OpenAI is reportedly developing a social media prototype for sharing images generated by ChatGPT, according to sources familiar with the matter who spoke with The Verge.
This new social media feed, akin to X, would host ChatGPT-generated images created by users, serving two primary goals: enhancing the visibility of ChatGPT’s image generator and providing real-time user data. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has been privately seeking feedback on this tool, The Verge reports.
The social feed’s design remains unclear, leaving questions about whether it would be a standalone social networking app or integrated with ChatGPT, similar to Midjourney’s feed of user-generated images. It also brings to mind the video feed on OpenAI’s Sora app, which showcases users’ utilization of the AI video generator.
A significant gap exists between a social networking feed of user-generated content and a full-fledged social media app like X or Instagram. If OpenAI were to enter the social media space, it would likely intensify the feud between Elon Musk and OpenAI. Sources told The Verge that Grok’s relationship with X, now owned by Elon Musk’s xAI company, has sparked jealousy due to its ability to create viral tweets.
Musk is currently suing OpenAI for breach of contract, alleging that the company is attempting to convert its capped for-profit into a full-fledged for-profit corporation. Recently, Musk offered to buy OpenAI for $97 billion, an offer that Altman firmly rejected.
By developing a social media platform, OpenAI would also be competing with Meta, another AI rival. Meta AI benefits from gathering user data to train its Llama models and is reportedly planning a standalone Llama app to compete with ChatGPT.
Altman has previously joked about building a social media app. In response to a February CNBC report, Altman wrote on X, “ok fine maybe we’ll do a social app.”
